Billfolds



J, BAUMGARTNER 2,851,077

BILLFOLDS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I ..I I I W -E WM Q L F,

INVEN TOR.

ATTORNEY d V 5 :1 mm 5 Sept. 9, 1958 Filed April 29, 1957 P 9, 1958 J. BAUMGARTNER 2,851,077

BILLFOLDS h Filed April 29, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

f] 77' ORA/1S VS.

Unite States Patet 25,851,077 Patented Sept. 9, 195% BILLFDLDS Josef Baumgartner, West Bend, Wis., assignor to Enger- Kress Company, West Bend, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application April 29, 1957, Serial No. 655,626

8 Claims. (Cl. 150-38) This invention relates to improvements in billfolds.

Stitchless billfolds which are formed from a single blank of material utilize an excessive amount of leather because of waste in cutting. Those billfolds which have a stitched construction are objectionable because edge stitching will eventually break from wear and cause the billfold to come apart. In addition, exposed stitching impairs the appearance and prevents compactness.

It is a general object of the present invention to pro vide an improved billfold which, when assembled, has the neat appearance of a stitchless construction, but which nevertheless is formed from a plurality of relatively small pieces of material which can be economically out without waste from assorted types of material, all of the lines of stitching in the billfold being concealed from view as well as protected from wear.

A further object of the invention is to provide a billfold construction as above described which can be so worked out, if desired, as to provide for'a fully gusseted pocket at one end of the fold, with all stitching concealed, and with a neat edge appearance throughout.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an article as above described having a novel lower edge con struction which gives the appearance of a stitchless billfold and which permits a pocket forming panel at one end to be integrally connected on an end fold line with the cover panel to provide a smooth, thin, trim appearance, it being possible, if desired, to utilize the said construction on both ends if an all-thin model is required.

A further object of the invention is to provide a billfold construction which permits the economical piecing together of a plurality of relatively small sections of leather. With this arrangement it is possible for some of the pieces of leather to be more expensive than others and have different characteristics, such as graining. The entire construction is such that the lines of connection or lines of stitching between pieces of leather are completely concealed and protected without producing a bulky appearance.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists of the improved billfold, and all of its parts and combinations, as set forth-in the claims, and all equivalents thereof.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating one cornplete embodiment of the invention, in which the same reference numerals designate the same parts in all of the views:

Fig. l is a view principally in plan, of the connectedtogether pieces of leather before they have been folded into assembled relationship;

Fig. 2 is a plan view showing a gusseted card pocket at one end assembled and showing the other end still open;

Fig. 3 is a plan view showing both ends of the billfold in assembled condition, but with the longitudinal tuck-in flaps still in unassembled condition;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the completely assembled fltiillfold;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view on an exaggerated scale taken on the line 55'of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a similar View taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a similar view taken on the line 77 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 5 taken on line 88 of Fig. 4.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 10 designates a cover panel, which cover panel has a finishing flap 11 which'is folded into superimposed relationship with the inner face of the cover, as shown in Fig. 1. End tabs 12 which are separated from the flap 11 by notches 13 are glued in position to hold the flap 11 down. If desired, glue may also be used beneath the upper portion of the flap 11.

Folded on a line of scoring 14 at the opposite edge (which, for convenience, will be hereinafter referred to as the lower edge) are tuck-in flaps 15 and 16, and a central tongue 17. A bill compartment divider 18 has a tab 19 projecting centrally from one of its longitudinal edges which is connected by a line of stitching 20 with the tongue 17 so that the divider 18 is foldable on thev central portion of the score line 14 from the position of Fig. 1 into superimposed position over the inner side of the cover panel 10.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention a right pocket panel 21 is foldably connected on a line of scoring 22 with the right hand end of the cover panel It), as shown in Fig. 1. While an integral connection is shown in the illustrated embodiment, nevertheless the type of folclable connection between the pocket panel 21 and the cover panel 10 may be varied to meet requirements in diiferent models.

Integrally connected to the upper edge of the pocket panel 21 is a flap 23. Foldably connected to the lower edge is a stitching flap 24. A pocket-back panel 25 for the right pocket is positioned with its edge 26 in alinement with the score line 27 for the stitching flap 24 and is stitched to the flap 24 by a line of stitching 2.8 which is inwardly oifset from the edge 26 of the pocket-back panel 25, but which isnear the edge of the stitching flap 24. The offsetting of the line of stitching in the manner just described is an important feature of the present invention as it provides for concealment of the stitching and a groove for receoving the tuck-in flap 16.

A. left pocket panel 29 has an end gusset-forming flap so foldably connected to an end edgeon the fold line 31. This flap is stitched as at 32 to a matching flap 33- which is foldably connected on a score line 34 with the left-hand end of the cover panel It as shown in Fig. 1. Where it is desired to form an all-gusseted card pocket on one end of the billfold, as in the illustrated embodiment, this type of connection is preferred. If, however, an allthin model is desired, a panel similar to panel 21 may be integrally folded from the cover panel 10 in the position of panel 29.

Foldably connected along a fold line 35 to the upper edge of the panel 29 is a flap 36. A gusset member 37 having flaps 33 and 39 folded relatively to one another on a fold line 4t has its flap 39 connected by stitching 41 with the flap 36 of the pocket panel 29, as shown in Figs. 1 and 6.

Connected by a'fold line 42 with the lower edge of the panel 29 is a flap 43. A pocket-back panel 44 for the left pocket has its upper edge 45 inserted beneath the flap 43 (referring to Fig. l) and in alinement with the fold line 42.. The panel 44 is connected to the flap 43 in the same manner that the panel 25 is connected to the flap 24, there being a line of stitching 46 which is which is close to the edge of the flap 43. The distance between the edge 45 of the panel 44 and the line of 3. stitching 46 must be slightly greater than the length of the tuck-in flap at the lower edge of the cover panel 10 which is to be ultimately inserted in the groove thus formed. Likewise, on the right hand side of the billfold the distance betweenthe edge 26 of panel and the line of stitching 28 must be slightly greater than the flap 16 for the same purpose, which purpose is to'be hereinafter referred to in greater detail.

Sewed to an end of the panel 44 by a line of stitching 47 is a stay 48, and a card pocket closure flap 49 may be secured in position by the same line of stitching 47, as shown in Fig. 1. At the opposite end of the stay 48 one end of a piece of muslin 50 is secured by stitching 51, and the other end of the muslin is connected by stitching 52 with a ticket insert 53.

Assembly To assemble the preliminarily connected parts of Fig.

1 the divider 18 is first folded upwardly with the tongue 17 on the line of scoring 14 to a position against the inner side of the cover panel 10 with the flaps 15 and 16 being left in projecting position as shown in Fig. 2. Next, the left pocket back panel 44 is folded upwardly on the fold line 42 with the end gusset-forming flaps between the panels 44 and 29 and with the end of the panel 44 preferably gluedover the inner side of flap 33. The edge 58 of the panel 44 is positioned on top of the gusset flap 39 and preferably glued thereto, which latter flap, together with the flap 36, have been folded inwardly with respect to the panel 29. Then the gusset flap 38 is folded over the edge 58 and glued thereto, the assembled arrangement being clear from Fig. 6.

The parts are then folded over on the fold line 34 intothe position shown in Fig. 2, with the fold lines 31 and 34 directly over one another atthe left hand end of the billfold and with the line of stitching 32 offset inwardly a substantial distance so as to be protected and concealed, the stitched together flaps and 33 forming an end gusset for a card pocket (see Fig. 7). The muslin is stretched out straight as shown in Fig. 2, and the end extension 54 of the ticket insert i pushed within a V-slit 55 of the right pocket panel 21, as shown in Fig. 2, the ends of the slit 55 being engaged by the corner notches 56.

Next, the pocket-back panel 25 is folded upwardly on the line of fold 27, and the flap 23 is folded downwardly over the edge 57 of the panel 25 and glued thereto. Thereafter, the parts are folded on the fold line 22 to the assembled position of Fig. 3. Next, glue is applied to the projecting tuck-in flaps 15 and 16. The flap 15 is tucked into position over the edge 45 into the groove formed between this material and the flap 43, the extreme edge of the flap 15 being closely adjacent the concealed line of stitching 46. Similarly, the flap 16 is foldedover the edge 26 of the right back panel 25 to a position within its groove adjacent the stitch line 28. When the glue sets, these flaps will hold the parts in assembled position, as shown in Figs. 5 and 8, and the final product will give the appearance of a stitchless billfold, as shown in Fig. 4. It is to be noted that the arrangement of Fig. 5 provides a bottom gusset for the card pocket at the left hand end of the billfold, there also being a gusset 37 at the upper edge and an end gusset provided by the flaps 30 and 33. At the right hand end of the billfold the pocket construction is such as to provide for a relatively flat, trim pocket with a minimum of bulk. If an all-thin billfold is desired the construction at the right hand end of the illustrated billfold may be used on both ends. On the other hand, if a gusseted card pocket is desired, then the construction illustrated in Fig. 4 is utilized. It is to be noted that the material 49, which was stitched to the stay 48 provides a cover flap for the left hand card pocket and any suit able fastener may be used as shown in Fig. 4.

With the improved pieced-together construction it 1s possible to utilize less expensive material in certain concealed places and it is possible to vary the type of leather in certain locations either for appearance purposes or to save expense. For example, the pocket backs 25 and 44 may be made of imitation material, if desired, as they are completely concealed. At the same time the cover 10 and panels 21 and 29 may be made of expensive leather to present a rich external appearance. In a stitchless billfold formed from a single blank of material it would be necessary to use the same material throughout.

The panels 29 and44 provide an attractive card pocket construction having gussetson three edges to permit expansion, and this has been accomplished in a way in which all of the lines of stitching 41, 46 and 47 are completely concealed and protected in use. At the other end of the billfold a very flat, trim ticket pocket is provided by the parts 21 and 25, and only the part 21 need be formed of expensive leather as the part 25 is initially separate and is secured to the part 21 by the .novel groove and tuck-in flap arrangement heretofore described, whereby the lower edge of the billfold is sealed in a unique manner by the fit of the flap 16 over the edge 26 and beneath the flap 24, the stitching 28 being completely concealed and protected. As before mentioned, if an all-thin billfold is desired, both ends of the fold may be made as shown at the right hand side of Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4. The entire billfold has the very smooth and trim appearance which results from the elimination of exposed stitching.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and described, for obvious modifications will occur to persons skilled in the art.

What I claim is:

1. In a billfold having a cover panel provided with a lower edge and with an end edge, a tuck-in flap folded upwardly from said lower edge, a pocket-forming panel folded inwardly from said end edge over an end portion of the cover panel and having a flap folded upwardly bc neath its lower edge on a fold line, a separately formed pocket-back panel beneath the pocket panel having a lower edge overlapped by said flap of the pocket forming panel and in substantial alignment with said fold line for the flap of the pocket-forming panel stitched to the latter flap by a line of stitching which is inwardly otfset from said last-mentioned fold line and inwardly offset from the lower edge of the billfold thereby providing a tuck-in groove terminating at said line of stitching, said tuck-in flap being within said tuck-in groove and secured to the material of said pocket-back panel which is between the line of stitching and the lower edge of said panel, said.

ing flap folded inwardly beneath the cover panel and stitched to said end gusset-forming flap of the cover panel to provide an end gusset, and said pocket-forming panel having a second flap folded upwardly beneath its lower edge on a fold line, a separately formed pocket-back panel beneath the pocket panel and having a lower edge overlapped by said second flap of the pocket-forming panel and in substantial alignment with said fold line for the flap of the pocket-forming panel stitched to the latter flap by a line of stitching which is inwardly offset from said last-mentioned fold line and inwardly offset from the lower edge of the billfold thereby providing a tuck-in groove terminating at said line of stitching, said tuck-in flap being within said tuck-in groove and secured to the material of said pocket-back panel which is between the line of stitching and the lower edge of said panel, said line of stitching and tuck-in flap being covered by the pocket-forming panel and said tuck-in groove providing a gusset at the lower edge of said pocket-forming panel.

3. In a billfold having a cover panel provided with a lower edge and with an end edge, a gusset-forming flap folded inwardly and over said end edge, a pocket-forming panel positioned over an end portion of the cover panel adjacent said edge and having an end gusset-forming flap folded inwardly beneath the cover panel and stitched to said end gusset-forming flap of the cover panel to provide an end gusset, and said pocket-forming panel having a second flap folded upwardly beneath its lower edge on a fold line, a separately formed pocket-back panel beneath the pocket panel and beneath said end gusset flaps and having a lower edge overlapped by said second flap of the pocket-forming panel and in substantial alignment with said fold line for the second flap of the pocket-forming panel stitched to the latter fiap by a line of stitching which is inwardly ofiset from said last-mentioned fold line and inwardly offset from the lower edge of the billfold thereby providing a tuck-in groove terminating at said line of stitching, said tuck-in flap being within said tuck-in groove and secured to the material of said pocket-back panel which is between the line of stitching and the lower edge of said panel, said line of stitching and tuck-in flap being covered by the pocket-forming panel and said tuck-in groove providing a gusset at the lower edge of said pocketforrning panel.

4. In a billfold having a cover panel provided with a lower edge and with an end edge, a gusset-forming flap folded inwardly and over said end edge, a pocket-forming panel positioned over an end portion of the cover panel adjacent said edge and having an end gusset-forming flap folded inwardly beneath the cover panel and stitched to said end gusset-forming flap of the cover panel to provide an end gusset, and said pocket-forming panel having a second flap folded upwardly beneath its lower edge on a fold line, and having a third flap folded inwardly beneath its upper edge, a separately formed pocket-back panel beneath the pocket panel and having a lower edge overlapped by said second flap of the pocket-forming panel and in substantial alignment with said fold line for the fiap of the pocket-forming panel stitched to the latter flap by a line of stitching which is inwardly offset from said last-mentioned fold line and inwardly offset from the lower edge of the billfold thereby providing a tuckin groove terminating at said line of stitching, said tuckin flap being within said tuck-in groove and secured to the material of said pocket-back panel which is between the line of stitching and the lower edge of said panel, said line of stitching and tuck-in flap being covered by the pocket-forming panel and said tuck-in groove providing a gusset at the lower edge of the pocket-forming panel, a folded gusset member having one part stitched to the third flap of the pocket-forming panel and positioned beneath the latter with the upper edge of the pocketback panel secured within the gusset member to provide a gusseted expansion at the upper edge of the pocket-forming panel.

5. In a billfold having a cover panel provided with a lower edge and with an end edge, a tuck-in flap folded upwardly from said lower edge, a pocket-forming panel folded inwardly from said end edge over one end portion of the cover panel and terminating short of the mid-point of the length thereof and having a fiap folded upwardly beneath its lower edge on a fold line, a separately formed pocket-back panel beneath the pocket panel having an inner edge and having a lower edge overlapped by said flap of the pocket-forming panel and in substantial alignment with said fold line for the flap of the pocket-forming panel stitched to the latter fiap by a line of stitching which is inwardly offset from the last-mentioned fold line and inwardly offset from the lower edge of the billfold thereby providing a tuck-in groove terminating at said line of stitching, said tuck-in flap being within'said tuckin groove and adhesively secured to the material of said pocket-back panel which is between the line of stitching and the lower edge of said panel, said line of sitching and tuck-in flap being covered by the pocket-forming panel and said tuck-in groove providing for expansion, pocket forming means connected to and covering the opposite end portion of the cover panel and terminating short of the mid-point in the length of said panel to leave a gap between said pocket forming means and said pocket forming panel, and a separately formed staymember secured at one end to said inner edge of said pocket-back panel and projecting over said gap to cover the latter, the other end of said stay being covered by said pocket forming means.

6. In a billfold having a cover panel provided with a lower edge and with an end edge, a tuck-in flap folded upwardly from said lower edge, a pocket-forming panel folded inwardly from said end edge over one end portion.

of the cover panel and terminating short of the mid-point of the length thereof and having a flap folded upwardly beneath its lower edge on a fold line, a separately formed pocket-back panel beneath the pocket panel having an inner end edge and having a lower edge overlapped by said flap of the pocket-forming panel and in substantial alignment with said fold line for the flap of the pocketforming panel stitched to the latter flap by a line of stitching which is inwardly offset from said last-mentioned fold line and inwardly offset from the lower edge of the billfold thereby providing a tuck-in groove terminating at said line of stitching, said tuck-in flap being within said tuck-in groove and adhesively secured to the material of said pocket-back panel which is between the line of stitching and the lower edge of said panel, said line of stitching and tuck-in flap being covered by the pocket-forming panel and said tuck-in groove providing for expansion, pocket forming means connected to and covering the opposite end portion of the cover panel and terminating short of the mid-point in the length of said panel to leave a gap between said pocket forming means and said pocket forming panel, a separately formed stay member secured at one end to said inner end edge of said pocket-back panel and projecting over said gap to cover the latter, the other end of said stay being covered by said pocket forming means and a separately formed pocket closure flap secured over said stay. ,to said inner end edge of the pocket-back panel.

7. In a billfold having a cover panel provided with a lower edge and opposite end edges, longitudinally spaced tuck-in flaps folded upwardly from said lower edge, a pocket-forming panel integral with and folded inwardly from each end edge over the end portions of the cover panel, each having a flap folded upwardly beneath its lower edge on a fold line, a separately formed pocketback panel beneath each pocket panel and having a lower edge overlapped by the flap of the pocket-forming panel and in substantial alignment with said fold line for the flap of the pocket-forming panel stitched to the latter flap by a line of stitching which is inwardly offset from said last-mentioned fold line and inwardly offset from the lower edge of the billfold thereby providing a tuck-in groove terminating at said line of stitching, said tuck-in flaps being within said tuck-in grooves and secured to the material of said pocket-back panels which is between the line of stitching and the lower edge of said panel, said lines of stitching and tuck-in flaps being covered by the pocket-forming panels and said tuck-in grooves providing for expansion.

8. In a billfold having a cover panel provided with a lower edge and opposite end edges, longitudinally spaced tuck-in flaps folded upwardly from said lower edge, a tongue folded upwardly from said lower edge between said flaps, a bill compartment divider secured to said tongue and positioned over said cover panel, a pocket forming panel integral with and folded inwardly from each end edge over the end portions of the cover panel, each having a flap folded upwardly beneath its lower edge on a fold line, a separately formed pocket-back .4 a: panel beneath each pocket panel and having a lower line of stitching and the lower edge of said panel, said edge overlapped by the flap of the pocket-forming panel lines of stitching and tuck-in flaps being covered by the and in substantial alignment with said 'fold line for the pocket-forming panels and said tuck-in grooves providing flap of the pocket-forming panel stitched to the latter for expansion. flap by a line of stitching which is inwardly ofiset from 5 said last-mentioned fold line and inwardly offset from the References Cited in the file of this patent lower edge of the billfold thereby providin a tuck-in groove terminating at said line of stitching, aid tuck-in UNITED STATES PATENTS flaps being within said tuck-in grooves and secured to the 2,186,650 Mueller Jan. 9, 1940 material of said pocket-back panels which is between the 10 2,606,590 Rcnz Aug. 12, 1952 

